Seattle Mayor Ed Murray had the following statement today about the taxi industry and Transportation Network Communities (TNC).

“The taxi industry has been heavily regulated in Seattle for many years. We must find ways to help the industry continue to succeed and evolve by reducing the overly burdensome and outdated regulations and proving opportunity for innovation,” said Murray. “We also must immediately put in place regulations on the TNCs, including insurance and safety requirements that are commensurate to the for-hire industry. The taxi, for-hire and TNCs together provide access to jobs and economic opportunity for many people entering the job market for the first time in our city. Together they also add to our mobility choices and help make it possible to live in Seattle without a car or choose to leave your car at home, creating a more vibrant and accessible city.”

“While I am generally not in support of capping the number of TNCs providing service in Seattle, I do support a reasonable temporary cap that would allow the TNC businesses to operate while providing a 12-month period to conduct a comprehensive review of the regulatory framework of the industry. For this review I will direct the FAS Director to use outside experts and a panel of local industry representatives to explore ways to “level the playing field” by streamlining training with a focus on safety, adjusting burdensome insurance requirements and improving efficiency in the industry. The review will also look at the overall impacts of the TNCs on the industry, and help assess whether the temporary cap is necessary and the level is appropriate.”